January 4, 2024

Haldimand War Memorial Hospital is experiencing an increase in respiratory illnesses in our community.  All individuals with any NEW symptoms of ANY infectious illness are asked to stay home when they are feeling sick.

These symptoms may include:

• Fever/Chills
• Cough
• Shortness of Breath
• Decreased or loss of taste or smell
• Extreme fatigue
• Muscle aches/joint pain
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Sore throat
• Runny nose or nasal congestion
• Headache

The flu, COVID-19 and RSV are all very contagious. You can spread these respiratory illnesses for up to 10 days after starting to feel sick. To prevent spread, stay at home until you have no fever and symptoms are improving for at least 24 hours (or 48 hours if you are vomiting and/or experiencing diarrhea).

You should also take extra precautions for 10 days, including wearing a mask in public spaces and avoiding visiting friends and family who are at higher risk of serious illness. Follow this advice for any respiratory illness, whether you have tested for COVID-19 or not.

Visiting the Inpatient Unit

Do Not visit if you are experiencing any of the above symptoms.  The hospital puts the safety of our patients, staff, physicians and visitors as our top priority.  Our visiting guidelines change frequently and we may modify as necessary for individual circumstances.  Please speak with the primary care nurse if you have any questions.

• All visitors are to check in at the nursing station upon arrival to the unit
• Visitors will be restricted to 2 at a time
• All visitors are to comply with isolation guidelines at all times
• Do not consume food or drink while visiting
• Children over the age of 5 are welcome provided they can safely follow the isolation guidelines
• Visiting guidelines may be reassessed under exceptional circumstances after consultation with Infection Control and the Director of the Inpatient Unit
• Visitors who are not able to comply with these requirements will be asked to leave

If you have a clinical appointment, please ensure your care provider is aware of your new symptoms prior to attending appointment.  If the appointment must be conducted in person, ensure you perform hand hygiene utilizing alcohol based hand rub and wear a well-fitting mask at all times while at the hospital.  Maintain physical distancing. Go to and from your appointment only.

We ask that you avoid stopping to visit with others, the cafeteria and gift shop to reduce the risk.

Please do not visit if you are experiencing any of the symptoms above.  Please stay home until you are feeling well.

To review our full visitor guidelines, please visit our website at www.hwmh.ca

For more information please visit the Ontario Health page

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Haldimand War Memorial Hospital Visiting Guidelines

HWMH endeavors to keep everyone on our campus safe, through the use of the following guidelines:

All Essential Care Partners and visitors are required to:

• Be healthy. If you are feeling unwell please plan your visit for when you are well
• Complete the self-screening questions available on our website and at the entrances to the hospital
• Please do not use patient’s washrooms. Public washrooms are available for your use

Essential Care Partners/Visitors that cannot follow our guidelines will be asked to leave and will not be permitted to visit.

Emergency Department (ED)

• No visitors or Essential Care Partners unless it is required for care purposes such as language barriers or decision-making purposes. Consideration will be given with regards to age of patient (dependent elder or minor under the age of 16) and severity of patient’s condition
• Essential Care Partners identified by the care team as required for the care and wellbeing of the patient should be document and communicated with all team members
• No in and out privileges (of the room and Department)
• Additional Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as directed by the care team must be in place at all times

Outpatient Clinics and Day Surgery

• No Essential Care Partner unless it is required for care purposes such as language, mobility barriers or decision making purposes in the cases of patient incapacity.
• Patients are to provide the name of person who is picking them up. Post procedure or clinic visit, the driver will be notified of where they can come to pick up the patient.

Inpatient Unit

Visiting Hours are between 10am and 8 pm daily.

• Please do not visit if feeling unwell.
• Please complete the self-screening questionnaire prior to visiting the hospital
• Inpatients are encouraged to stay in touch with family using virtual visits on personal devices. The care team can provide more information and some assistance with virtual visits.
• Visiting hours are between 10:00am and 8:00pm daily.
• 2 persons permitted at the bedside at one time.
• Children 5 years of age and older are permitted to visit if they are one of the designated care partners and follow all other Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) guidelines. Children under 5 years old are not permitted to visit.
• Extenuating circumstances are to be discussed with the care team.
• Visiting may be interrupted for the team to provide care if need be.
• Visiting may be restricted to protect the health care needs and privacy rights of other patients or to maintain safety and security.

End of Life

• In partnership with the care team including the patient, the Director of the Program and Essential Care Partners will determine the best plan of care. This may be limited to only immediate family members of the patient being permitted to visit.
• Two family members are permitted at the bedside, at one time.
• Visitors must remain in the patient room at all times unless directed otherwise by a member of the care team. No walking in the hall or congregating outside patient room.
• 1 Essential Care Partner may be permitted to remain with the patient overnight.
• Visitors may be required to wear additional PPE as directed and must be in place at all times.